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Chapter 987: Diplomacy? Or Collusion?

A small pirate ship approached the outer waters of Zhoushan Dinghai Port.

While still a considerable distance from the harbor, a 20-meter patrol electric boat from Gao Family Village swiftly moved to intercept it.

Unregistered vessels were not permitted to approach Dinghai Port.

This was because Zhoushan Dinghai Port was currently being developed to military specifications, housing the main fleet of the Gao Family Village navy. A shipyard was also under construction nearby, slated to produce steam-powered ironclads—all top secret.

How could unauthorized vessels be allowed to approach and spy?

As the electric boat drew near, the pirates on the other vessel began frantically waving flags, signaling their desire to communicate.

By this time, the sailors from Gao Family Village had learned many common pirate flag signals from the reformed pirates undergoing Labor Reform. With these reformed pirates always on hand to assist, flag communication was no longer an issue.

The Gao Family Village boat responded with a flag signal, agreeing to parley.

Soon after, someone from the pirate ship came aboard.

It was clear he had picked up this fashion from the Westerners.

The captain of the Gao Family Village boat, however, was a middle school dropout. Though he hadn't graduated, he had studied the "Heavenly Books" provided by the Heavenly Lord. His insight and vision far surpassed that of ordinary folk. Seeing the newcomer's attire, he sneered, "Who are you? And what brings you to our Zhoushan Island?"

The man in the suit, trying to sound important, declared, "I am an administrator under Lord Liu Xiang, the last great hero among the Wind and Cloud Eighteen Scholars. I typically handle diplomatic affairs for Brother Liu Xiang."

"Oh?" The captain chuckled. "Diplomacy, you say? That term is usually reserved for relations between nations. When did it start applying to pirates? You'd best change it to... collusion."

The man in the suit paused, startled. *Huh? This fellow isn't just some common pirate chief; he's educated and cultured.*

He composed himself. "The specific word doesn't matter, as long as you understand my purpose."

The captain pressed, "So, you're here to make a deal with us?"

The man in the suit cleared his throat. "Ahem, one could say that. Brother Liu Xiang has always aimed to befriend all heroes and valiant men under heaven; within the Seven Seas, we are all brothers. He wonders if, perhaps, he might have unintentionally offended you brothers flying the colorful flag. Please forgive any transgressions."

The captain secretly chuckled. *Oh, so he's come to parley, adopting a humble stance?*

The man in the suit continued, "Brother Liu Xiang has some old comrades and subordinates on Zhoushan Island and Shengsi Island, one named Swordsman and another named White Sheep. It seems they were apprehended by your forces... They are important men to Brother Liu Xiang. If possible, we humbly request you release them back to us. We are willing to pay a sum..."

The captain shook his head without hesitation. "No! They committed piracy and have been apprehended. They cannot be released, nor can they be bought with money."

The man in the suit was taken aback. "What is this 'piracy' crime?"

The captain recited expressionlessly, "Piracy refers to the criminal act of operating a vessel without the permission or authorization of a belligerent nation, or without belonging to any national navy, with the intent to commit violence or coercion against other ships, or the people or property aboard them."

The man in the suit's jaw dropped.

*What in the devil? And so formal? He actually recited a legal statute?*

*What strange law from what country is this? I've never heard of it.*

Though the man in the suit said nothing, his expression clearly conveyed his disapproval of this law.

The captain snorted. "I know you don't agree with this law. Truth be told... I don't entirely agree with it either."

The man in the suit blinked. "Huh?"

*He doesn't agree with it either? Then why the hell is he enforcing it?*

Just as this thought crossed his mind, the captain grinned, "Why bother with such complications? What's all this talk of crime or no crime? Just catch a pirate and shoot them, simple as that. Creating a law, defining a crime, even Labor Reform—it's all so unnecessary. Execute them, execute all of them, that's the best approach."

The man in the suit was utterly stunned.

The captain then shifted his tone. "Alright, do you have anything else to say?"

The man in the suit frowned slightly. "Who exactly is your leader?"

The captain proudly declared, "Our leader is called Dao Xuan Tian Zun."

The man in the suit mused: *This leader's name bears a striking resemblance to the Unborn Mother of the White Lotus Society. It seems they are a bunch of fearless cult fanatics. Such fanatics are the hardest to deal with; they charge headlong into battle, utterly unafraid of death, shouting 'Unborn Mother, True Home of Void,' plunging straight through a hail of bullets and arrows. Terrifying.*

However...

No matter how fearless they were, they'd still die when blasted by cannons.

The man in the suit didn't believe this new group could be stronger than Liu Xiang. His earlier humble demeanor was merely an attempt to retrieve Swordsman and White Sheep cheaply, after which they could adopt a harder line.

Since the other party showed no respect, it was time to drop the pretense.

The man in the suit let out a cold scoff. "Very well, you colorful-flag bearers! Our Brother Liu Xiang has never provoked you. Yet you arrive, screaming for war, seizing our men, occupying our islands—this is truly a great disrespect. Go back and tell your so-called Heavenly Lord to immediately hand over Swordsman and White Sheep, and withdraw from the Zhoushan Archipelago. Our Brother Liu Xiang might then pretend this never happened. Otherwise... from now on, any ship flying a colorful flag will need to be very careful in these waters."

The captain laughed. "There's no need to bother the Heavenly Lord with this. I can answer you myself... We're so scared, so very scared, hahahaha!"

The sailors behind him, along with the reformed pirates, all burst into laughter. "We're so scared, truly terrified! We won't be able to sleep at night!"

The man in the suit seethed. "A bunch of ignorant youngsters who don't know their place! Our Brother Liu Xiang is backed by the Westerners; you probably don't even know how huge their ships are, do you? Your arrogance will only last for a moment!"

The captain snorted. "Speak properly, and I'll treat you as an envoy. But if you keep insulting us with words like 'youngsters' and such, I won't consider you an envoy; I'll consider you a provocateur. When two nations go to war, they don't execute envoys, but it's never been said they wouldn't execute someone who comes knocking to stir up trouble... So... *heheheh*..."

This startled the man in the suit considerably. He truly dared not speak carelessly anymore, merely huffing, "Fine, there's no point in further talk when we don't see eye to eye. Take care of yourselves."

With that, he returned to his small pirate ship and sailed away to the south.

Behind him, the Gao Family Village captain picked up a tin megaphone and shouted towards the pirate ship, "Tell Liu Xiang he's also committed piracy! He can wait for us to come and capture him, or if he doesn't want to be shot, he can jump into the sea and kill himself. Let him choose a more elegant way to die!"

The man in the suit was furious, but he had come alone as an envoy, with no combat capability. He dared not say more, and could only tuck his tail and sail away.